In an exciting baseball match held on April 12, 2025, at Smithson Field in Bronx, New York, the Saint Joseph’s Hawks edged out the Fordham Rams with a decisive score of 12-4. This victory marked the beginning of a three-game series within the Atlantic 10 conference. Alex Kelsey from Saint Joseph’s delivered an impressive performance by achieving a double, a triple, and contributing four RBIs, while Frank Ciccone dominated the mound with eight strikeouts over seven innings. Fordham initially took the lead but ultimately fell short as the Hawks rallied back with powerful hits and strategic plays.
The game commenced with Fordham taking an early advantage in the third inning when Chase Hanawalt reached second base following a walk and a single by Tommy McAndrews. However, their lead was short-lived as Saint Joseph’s quickly retaliated with two runs in the same frame through groundouts and sacrifice flies. The Rams regained the lead momentarily in the fifth inning thanks to Taylor Kirk's crucial hit, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. Yet again, the Hawks responded fiercely, scoring three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, leveling the game and eventually taking the lead.
Alex Kelsey continued to shine, roping an RBI-triple that tied the scores before Carson Applegate hit a two-run home run, boosting the Hawks' morale. In the seventh inning, Saint Joseph’s unleashed a barrage of seven runs, widening their lead significantly. Kelsey contributed further with a bases-loaded double, driving in three runs during this explosive inning. Despite Fordham managing to secure one final run in the eighth inning via Matt Dieguez's RBI-single, it wasn't enough to overcome the Hawks' overwhelming offense.
On the pitching front, Aidan Dowd struggled for Fordham, conceding four earned runs over five innings, leading to his downfall. Conversely, Ciccone's stellar performance ensured the Hawks maintained control throughout the latter stages of the game. The teams are set to continue their series with a doubleheader scheduled for Sunday morning at 11:00 AM.
Looking ahead, both teams will aim to capitalize on their strengths in the upcoming doubleheader. For Saint Joseph’s, maintaining their offensive momentum and Ciccone's dominance on the mound could be key factors in securing another victory. Meanwhile, Fordham must find ways to bolster their defense and consistency at the plate if they hope to turn the tide in their favor during these crucial matches.